The First Spirit Ring and an "Unintentional" Hand-Holding

Master Yu Xiaogang did not make them wait long.

One evening a few days later, he came to the Seventh Dormitory, found Tang San, and called Xiao Xiaoxiao along as well.

"Your Soul Power has reached its bottleneck. You need to obtain your First Spirit Ring before you can continue improving." Master got straight to the point, his tone serious. "Tomorrow, I'll take you to the Soul Hunting Forest outside Nuoding City."

Xiao Xiaoxiao's heart skipped a beat, filled with both anticipation and nervousness. She was finally going to obtain a Spirit Ring! This was also when Tang San and Xiao Wu first... Uh, but it seemed Xiao Wu did not need a Spirit Ring this time?

Sure enough, the moment Xiao Wu heard this, she jumped up. "Master, Master! I want to go too! I'll protect them!" She waved her little fists, looking as though she were extremely dependable.

Master glanced at her and shook his head. "Your Soul Power has not reached level ten yet. It would be dangerous for you to go. Besides, too many people would make it easier to attract the attention of powerful spirit beasts. You will stay at the academy."

Xiao Wu's little face immediately fell. She pouted, and even her tail—if she had one—would have been drooping. She tugged on Tang San's sleeve. "Little Sanzi..."

Tang San patted her shoulder, the gesture already quite natural. "Don't worry. We'll be fine."

Watching this, Xiao Xiaoxiao felt a faint sense of satisfaction, though she still consoled her on the surface. "Sister Xiao Wu, we'll be back soon. We'll bring you something tasty!"

Only then did Xiao Wu reluctantly nod, though she continued looking at them eagerly.

Early the next morning, before dawn had broken, the three gathered at the academy gates. Master had prepared ample supplies, including beast-repelling powder, medicine for wounds, and dried provisions.

This was Xiao Xiaoxiao's first time leaving a human town and entering a true spirit beast forest. Towering ancient trees blotted out the sky, leaving the forest dim. The air was thick with the damp smell of soil and rotting leaves, while the howls of unknown spirit beasts occasionally echoed from afar, making the place feel mysterious and dangerous.

She unconsciously moved a little closer to Tang San, her small hand nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Master lowered his voice as he explained the precautions: how to identify spirit beast tracks and avoid dangerous areas. Tang San listened with exceptional focus and nodded from time to time. Xiao Xiaoxiao tried her best to concentrate as well, but her heart continued pounding wildly.

Finding suitable spirit beasts was not easy. Master's goal was clear: to find a Mandala Snake or Ghost Vine for Tang San, something suited to the poisonous or resilient qualities of Blue Silver Grass; and to find a fox- or cat-type spirit beast skilled in mental confusion or speed for Xiao Xiaoxiao.

They wandered around the outer edge of the forest for nearly a day and encountered several ten-year spirit beasts, but none met their requirements.

By evening, the forest had become even darker and gloomier. Xiao Xiaoxiao was exhausted and frightened, her steps unsteady. Suddenly, her foot slipped on a slick tree root. With a cry, she toppled to the side.

"Careful." A steady, powerful hand caught her arm in time and pulled her back.

It was Tang San. At some point, he had moved to her outer side and had been keeping watch on their surroundings.

Still shaken, Xiao Xiaoxiao instinctively grasped his wrist in return. It felt slightly cool beneath her fingers, but she could sense the firm bones and faint strength beneath the fabric. Her face flushed bright red at once, and her heart raced as if it might leap out of her chest.

"Th-thank you..." Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito's. She wanted to let go, yet she was reluctant to part with that small sense of security.

Tang San seemed to pause for a moment, but he did not immediately pull his hand away. He merely said in a low voice, "Stay close. Watch your footing."

"Mm..." Xiao Xiaoxiao answered softly, letting him hold her arm while her other hand lightly pinched a corner of his clothes, like a startled little animal that had found something to rely on.

Master looked back at them, his gaze lingering for a moment on their touching arms. He said nothing and continued onward.

Tang San half-supported, half-led Xiao Xiaoxiao for another stretch of the path. His steps were steady, giving her immense reassurance without her realizing it. Xiao Xiaoxiao even began to feel that the Soul Hunting Forest was not quite so frightening after all.

Just as the sky was nearly completely dark and they were preparing to find a place to camp, Master suddenly stopped and barked, "Be on guard!"

The bushes ahead rustled. Immediately after, a venomous snake nearly three meters long, emerald green from head to tail and crowned with a bright red fleshy crest, shot out! Its cold eyes fixed on the three of them as its tongue hissed.

"A Mandala Snake! Around four hundred years old! Perfect!" Master's voice held a trace of excitement, though it was more solemn than anything else. "Tang San, its venom is potent and it is fast. It is ideal for your First Spirit Ring! Be careful!"

Tang San's eyes narrowed. In an instant, he pulled Xiao Xiaoxiao behind him and stepped forward. Mysterious Jade Hand silently circulated as several pebbles appeared between his fingers.

The Mandala Snake suddenly attacked, lunging at Tang San like a streak of green lightning!

Tang San shifted his feet and unleashed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, narrowly evading the snake's jaws. At the same time, the pebbles in his hand shot out, striking the snake's body with dull pops, but they failed to inflict much damage.

Master calmly directed from the side. "Attack its eyes and fleshy crest! Those are its weak points!"

Tang San followed his instructions, his figure flickering as he constantly maneuvered around the Mandala Snake. His actual combat experience was still limited, and facing the attacks of a hundred-year spirit beast, he found himself in danger several times.

Xiao Xiaoxiao hid behind them, watching with her heart in her throat and cold sweat filling her palms. She knew she could not help. Charging in would only be a hindrance, so she could only bite her lip tightly and desperately cheer Tang San on in her heart.

At last, Tang San seized an opportunity. Using the brief sluggishness created when Blue Silver Grass Entangling wrapped around the snake's body, he accurately struck the Mandala Snake's eye with a pebble!

The Mandala Snake let out a piercing hiss and rolled about in agony.

"Now!" Master shouted.

A fierce light flashed in Tang San's eyes. Without further hesitation, he lunged forward and brought his Mysterious Jade Hand down viciously on the snake's vital point!

After an intense struggle, the Mandala Snake finally collapsed limply to the ground. A bright yellow Spirit Ring slowly condensed and rose from its corpse.

Tang San let out a breath, several fresh scrapes visible on his body as he panted lightly.

"Quick, sit cross-legged and use your mind to draw in the Spirit Ring and absorb it!" Master urged.

Tang San immediately did as he was told and began absorbing the Spirit Ring.

Master stood guard nearby, his expression tense. Xiao Xiaoxiao cautiously moved closer as well, watching Tang San nervously, hardly daring to breathe.

Time passed bit by bit. Pain occasionally appeared on Tang San's face, and his body trembled slightly, but each time he eventually settled back down.

Finally, the fluctuations of Soul Power around him gradually calmed. The yellow Spirit Ring settled securely around his body, slowly pulsing.

He opened his eyes, a trace of joy flashing through them. "Teacher, I succeeded. The soul skill is Entangling, and it carries the Mandala Snake's paralyzing venom."

Master nodded approvingly. "Excellent! A truly perfect first soul skill!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao also let out a long breath, delighted. "That's wonderful, Tang San!"

However, before they could celebrate for long, Master's expression abruptly changed. He swiftly shielded both children behind him. "Careful! Something else is coming! It's very fast!"

Before his words had even faded, a silver shadow darted from the woods like Gui Mei, lunging straight at Xiao Xiaoxiao!

It was a completely silver-white fox, not particularly large, but with strange pink eyes that shimmered with a hazy glow. It seemed to have been drawn by the energy fluctuations from the earlier battle, or perhaps by the fox-type martial soul aura on Xiao Xiaoxiao's body!

"It's a Phantom Moon Fox! It has only just passed a hundred years! Xiaoxiao, its mental confusion ability is perfect for you! Watch its eyes!" Master called urgently. But he was too far away, and the fox was too fast. It was about to reach Xiao Xiaoxiao!

Xiao Xiaoxiao went pale with fright. Her mind went blank, and she even forgot to summon her martial soul.

At that critical moment, Tang San, who had just finished absorbing his Spirit Ring, reacted with astonishing speed. Almost instinctively, he swung his hand!

"First soul skill, Entangling!"

Several strands of Blue Silver Grass, now even tougher and marked with faint green patterns, burst from the ground and precisely wrapped around the Phantom Moon Fox's four paws, violently dragging it to the ground!

The Phantom Moon Fox let out a sharp shriek. The light in its pink eyes flared, and an invisible Mental Fluctuation spread outward!

Tang San and Xiao Xiaoxiao, who were closest to it, both felt dizzy and disoriented.

Tang San bit down hard on the tip of his tongue, forcing himself awake. "Xiaoxiao! Summon your martial soul! Attack it!"

Xiao Xiaoxiao was jolted awake by his shout. Looking at the fox before her, tightly Entangled by Blue Silver Grass yet still struggling and shrieking, then at Tang San standing in front of her with a slightly pale face, a surge of courage suddenly rose within her.

She could not always be the one being protected!

"Phantom Moon Fox, come out!" she shouted. White light gathered in her palm, and the little snow-white, dreamlike fox appeared.

At the same time, the Phantom Moon Fox's pink eyes fixed on her once more!

Xiao Xiaoxiao felt a powerful wave of dizziness and confusion wash over her, as if a voice were urging her to give up resisting. But she stared at Tang San's back, clenched her teeth, and focused every shred of her will on the Phantom Moon Fox in her palm!

"Go!" she cried with all her strength.

The Phantom Moon Fox in her palm seemed to receive her will. A faint moon-white gleam suddenly flashed through its misty eyes, and a silent Mental Shockwave burst outward, colliding with the Phantom Moon Fox's confusing radiance!

A faint hum sounded in the air.

The Phantom Moon Fox's shriek abruptly stopped. Its eyes went blank for an instant, as though its own skill had rebounded against it, and its movements froze completely.

"Now!" Master shouted.

Without hesitation, Tang San used Entangling again. More Blue Silver Grass tightened around the Phantom Moon Fox's neck.

Xiao Xiaoxiao gathered her courage as well. She picked up a sharp stone from the ground, closed her eyes, and smashed it down with all her strength...

Only after feeling the spirit beast's life force fade did Xiao Xiaoxiao tremblingly loosen her grip. The stone dropped to the ground. A bright yellow Spirit Ring slowly rose.

Her legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed to the ground. Her heart pounded wildly, filled with lingering fear as well as the thrill of success. She... she had actually killed a hundred-year spirit beast!

"You did very well!" Master stepped forward, his eyes full of praise. "You remained calm in danger. Your Spiritual Power talent is even better than I imagined. Quickly, absorb the Spirit Ring!"

Tang San looked at her as well. Though he said nothing, his eyes held approval and a trace of... concern that was difficult to detect?

Encouraged, Xiao Xiaoxiao nodded firmly. She sat cross-legged and began guiding the First Spirit Ring that belonged to her.

The absorption process seemed even more difficult than Tang San's. After all, a Spirit System Spirit Ring demanded more from one's willpower. The foreign spiritual energy rampaged through her mind, bringing waves of stabbing pain and hallucinations.

She seemed to see Xiao Wu and Tang San standing side by side, and herself unable to get close no matter how hard she tried... No! She could not! She gritted her teeth and drove those distracting thoughts away. Only one thought remained in her heart: become stronger and keep up with his footsteps!

After an unknown length of time, her Soul Power finally stabilized, and the Spirit Ring settled onto her body.

She opened her eyes and felt as though the world had become clearer. Her Spiritual Power had surged tremendously.

"My first soul skill is Mental Interference. It can interfere with an opponent's mind for a short time, causing hallucinations or slowing their movements." Xiao Xiaoxiao shared excitedly. She looked at Tang San, her eyes sparkling. "Tang San, thank you! If it hadn't been for you just now..."

Tang San shook his head. "You were brave too."

Master looked at the two children, a satisfied smile appearing on his face. "Both of you did very well! We gained tremendously from this trip! It is getting late, so let us leave this place as soon as possible."

On the way back, Xiao Xiaoxiao was still somewhat shaken, but she was more excited and joyful than anything else. She had obtained her First Spirit Ring and gained her first soul skill. More importantly... Tang San had protected her in that dangerous moment, and she had finally found the courage to fight back once!

She secretly watched Tang San's back as he walked slightly ahead of her. Thinking of how he had stood in front of her without hesitation, and of the hand that had caught her arm... her cheeks began to burn again.

When they passed through a particularly rugged stretch of forest, Tang San seemed to slow his pace casually and held out his hand to her. "Be careful."

Xiao Xiaoxiao looked at that hand, her heart pounding like a drum, and gently placed her own hand in his.

His palm bore thin calluses from training, yet it was warm and strong.

This time, it was no longer a desperate pull in a moment of danger, but a silent, mutual understanding.

Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the trees, falling upon their clasped hands and upon Xiao Xiaoxiao's face, flushed crimson.

The trip to the Soul Hunting Forest had been fraught with danger, yet it had also quietly changed certain things.

The path of Intercepting seemed to have advanced another small step because of this shared experience and that "unintentional" hand-holding.